The new rule states that doctors, nurses, pharmacists, technicians, even those who clean up after medical procedures can refuse to perform any aspect of their work that they find objectionable on moral, ethical or religious grounds. Federal funding will be cut to any agency, hospital, clinic, health plan, state or local government that does not accommodate workers who invoke this rule.
It's Bush's eleventh-hour attempt to sabotage safe and legal abortions, access to contraception, and procedures that impact women's health choices. But many state that it can have far-reaching and unintended consequences.
At a time when additional government expenditures are the last thing any of us need, the new ruling will cost an additional $44 million to implement.
This parting gift courtesy of the Bush administration has been in the works for months. Now it will be an albatross round the neck of the Obama administration when he assumes the presidency in a month's time.
In November, Senators Hillary Clinton and Patty Murray introduced a bill to overturn the ruling. An Obama spokesperson said the President-elect "will review all eleventh-hour regulations and will address them once he is president."
Related articles:
- New Ruling Surfaces Back in July 2008 With 'Contraception' Mislabeled as 'Abortion'
- Contraception vs. Conscience - Proposed Rule Will Block Women's Care, Lead To Unwanted Pregnancies
- Bush Administration's "Right of Conscience" Rule Pits Morals Against Women's Health
- Washington Post - "Rule Shields Health Workers Who Withhold Care Based on Beliefs."
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